Pets & Camping Safety

Are you taking your dog with you on a family camping trip this summer? Don’t forget to be prepared for pet care! It’s important that your pet is up-to-date on parasite prevention and has plenty of food and fresh, filtered or sanitized water to drink at the campground. Also, be prepared for safety by ensuring that your campground of choice allows dogs to visit, and that your dog has a place to sleep, preferably inside the tent where they won’t be bitten by insects or pestered by wild animals! Be safe, and the trip will be that much more fun!

Over-the-Counter Medications & Pets

Pets are often curious creatures, wanting to check out things around the house. Because of this characteristic, it’s important to always store dangerous substances like medicine far from their reach. Pets have been known to accidentally ingest whole packages of pills and the results are often serious, sometimes fatal. Keep your pet’s safe at home by storing your medicine safely out of their reach.

Cathy Lewis: Team Member of the Month

We are proud to honor Cathy Lewis as our Team Member of the Month! Cathy has been working at Quarry Ridge Animal Hospital for over 10 years. She greets everyone with a big smile. Cathy lives with her husband Dave in Newtown, CT. They are the parents of 5 children and one grandson. In addition to the humans, they have, 3 dogs, 7 ducks, 15 chickens and 3 guinea hens. In her spare time she loves to garden starting most things from seeds and she enjoys horseback riding. We are grateful to have her on our team!

Pets & Insects

Flying critters don't want to share the sweet aroma of spring as it blooms in your garden. Watch your pets while they are outside, because they might be getting up close and personal with a bee or other insects which may result in a nasty sting. We want your pets to enjoy their frolic through the flowers.

Cleaning Pet Toys

Playing catch, chewing on squeaky toys, and playing tug-of-war are all exciting and fun things for dogs to do. There is no need to throw away and replace dog toys just because they are dirty. Man's best friends have their favorite toys, and some tend to wear out more quickly than others. Keeping toys clean and well-maintained will ensure that they are around for a long time.

Case of the Month: "Dude" Carruthers

Dude is an 11 year old Labrador that came to us for the first time about 2 weeks ago with a history of decreased appetite, intermittent vomiting and approximately 20 pound weight loss for about a week. With two dogs in the house, and the kids feeding the dogs, the symptoms could have started even a little sooner.

Concerned for his age and the severity of the symptoms, we began a diagnostic workup, fearing serious disease of cancer. All his tests came back normal. His x-rays showed a two inch round object that was consistent with a foreign body or mass in his stomach. Because of his age and the severity of his symptoms suggesting a guarded prognosis, we started with a conservative approach of a bland diet and stomach medications, but the poor appetite and vomiting continued.

We tried inducing vomiting to see if he could bring up the possible foreign body, to no avail. We discussed possible abdominal exploratory surgery, but elected to try endoscopy to look inside his stomach first...all appearing normal, which no sign of a tumor or foreign body.

Still being suspicious and hoping for an answer and hopefully a cure, we went to a surgery and found a large chestnut wrapped in plastic that was filling a large segment of his intestines. He has recovered well from surgery, and one week later, is back to his usual self again!

June is Adopt-A-Cat-Month

Congratulations, the cat's out of the bag! You've just entered into a wonderful relationship that's bound to be filled with fun and affection. By starting off on the right foot—that is, by being well-prepared for your new arrival—you can move through that rocky adjustment period most new relationships go through and get right down to the lovin'!

1. Make Sure Everyone In The House Is Prepared To Have A Cat

Talk to your family members before bringing a new cat home. Make sure everyone knows that the fun begins only after kitty feels safe and her needs are met. Once you're sure everyone is ready for feeding, litter changing and grooming, you can divvy up chores among family members so everyone is prepared to care for kitty before she arrives.

2. Do You Know What Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You?

The average cat has a vocabulary of more than 16 different sounds, including purring, howling, hissing and meowing—not to mention a wide-range of playful and serious body language. Taking a glance at our Cat Care section will help you understand your cat's behavior before you're faced with her mysterious cat calls, pouncing and nocturnal romps.

3. Stock Up On Supplies Before Kitty Arrives

Have all of your cat's needs ready so she can get right down to the business of making herself at home. Kitty will need:

• A litter box and the brand of litter she's been using
• Food and water bowls and the food she's used to eating
• A sturdy, rough-textured scratching post—at least three feet high—that allows her to stretch completely while scratching
• Safe, stimulating toys. Hint: If you give her toys that make noises, you'll know when she's playing.
• A bed lined with a soft, warm blanket or towel
• Grooming tools: a high-quality brush and nail clipper are a good start

4. Identity Is Key

Proper identification is a necessity. If your kitty is indoors-only, an ID tag or implanted microchip will help ensure she'll be returned to you if she gets out and can't find her way home. A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose if the collar gets caught on something. We caution against letting cats outdoors, but if you do—or if a window or door is left open—a safety collar and an ID tag may be what bring your missing cat home.

5. A Room Of One's Own

Choose a low-traffic room your kids and other pets don't frequent—this will be your cat's safe space to sniff, eat, scratch and play while she gets her bearings. Arrange her food and water bowls, bed and litter box—and scatter her toys around. You can even clean off a windowsill for her and have soft music playing. She'll appreciate the chance to feel out her new family from inside her haven.

6. Routine Behavior

Give your cat a little structure to lean on. For the first few weeks, provide him with the same kind of food and feeding schedule he had before living with you—and give him the same brand of litter, too, for a familiar scent and feel on his paws. Later on, if you wish to switch to different products, you can make a slow transition.

7. What's New, Pussycat?

With a whole new life in store for her, Kitty will need some time and space to check out her surroundings and all of her new play things. Give her time alone in her room to get comfortable before you come in to play with her. If you have other pets, it's a good idea to leave your new cat in her own room for a few days will allow the other animals in the house to get used to her sounds and scent. (Hint: Watch from the door to see how she leaves her carrier. Whether she pussyfoots into a dark corner or zooms out into the room, you'll know how she feels about her new surroundings.)

8. Introducing Kitty To The Pack

Go slow at first. A cat may need seven to fourteen days to relax into her new environment. If you have kids, let them introduce themselves one at a time. Hold up on the meet-and-greets with friends, neighbors and relatives until your kitty is eating and eliminating on a normal schedule. If you have other pets, don't let your new addition have free run of the house. This is the territory of the animals who have lived with you already. Allow all of your pets to meet in the new cat's territory—and make sure you're there to supervise.

9. Cat-Proof Your Home

When your cat is ready to explore the rest of her new home (for short excursions at first), be sure to get rid of stray items she might chew on or swallow, like toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. Pens and pencils may need to be kept in drawers. You may also have to tape wires to baseboards and put caps on outlets.
Put away harsh cleaning products, human medications and household poisons, and rehome any houseplants that might be toxic to her. Make sure foods that aren't healthy for a cat's tummy are placed securely out of reach.

10. Visit The Vet Within Her First Week

Last but not least, bring your new feline to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption. Make this appointment even before you bring your kitty home.

Employee of the Week: Dr. Adrianne Profeta

We are proud to honor Dr. Adrianne Profeta as our Employee of the Week for the 4th week of May! Dr. Profeta has worked in the veterinary industry for 14 years and she loves everything about the wonderful environment. She recently completed her training in Acupuncture which is able to supplement the treatment program. Dr. Profeta loves spending quality time with her daughter doing special things together. In this picture, Diane is congratulating Dr. Profeta by presenting her with flowers! 

CAMEO: May Pet of the Month

This is Cameo! Cameo is a dog that had to be recently amputated due to bone cancer. She is our May Pet of the Month!

Employee of the Week: Diane Carlson

The employee of the week is Diane Carlson. She is our Head Receptionist and has been at Quarry Ridge Animal Hospital for 8 years. Diane has been married to Charlie for 26 years this month, they live in New Fairfield with their lively hunter kitty Bucca. Bucca abuses his curfew constantly, worrying his parents.. Diane loves her job at Quarry Ridge especially her coworkers. She feels lucky to work around all the four legged creatures! Diane has recently started a bowling team the Quarry Ridge Rollers. Diane greets the clients like old friends and we are lucky to have her as part of our Quarry Ridge family. 

This is Daisy Barnard. She is a French puppy.

We Are Working Towards Acupuncture Certification

We are proud that Dr. Adrianne Profeta and Dr. Michele Seibold are working towards their Acupuncture Certification! They both recently completed their courses and PASSED their written and oral examinations. They are working hard towards becoming certified in Acupuncture so that our practice can provide your pets with exemplary veterinary medicine!

April Birthdays

Happy Birthday wishes this April to the twins, Jeremy and Zach, and also to Dr. Seibold! We hope you all have incredible birthdays!